THE CENTER OF ATTENTION: Giants center David Baas played in 92 games for the 49ers, who drafted him in 2005. After greeting his former teammates during the regular season meeting this year, Baas said Sunday is a “business trip.”Richard A. Brightly

David Baas was drafted out of Michigan in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the 49ers, one round after San Francisco, with the No. 1 overall pick, selected Alex Smith, figuring he would be their franchise quarterback for the next decade.

In the past six years, Baas played in 92 games for San Francisco, starting 54. He knows quite a bit about Smith and the 49ers.

This week, Baas hopes some of that knowledge can be imparted to his Giants teammates, who on Sunday face the 49ers in the NFC Championship at Candlestick Park.

“Absolutely,’’ Baas said. “It’s nothing crazy, but like I did last time, remind guys of what some of the personnel there is. Anything I can do to help, I will. With me, personally, knowing those guys it’s still kind of always fresh in your mind. You can remind people who these guys are and how they play.’’

Based on their time together, Baas said he is not surprised Smith has helped bring the 49ers this far.

“With Alex I’ve always believed he’s had it in him,’’ Baas said. “He just needed a lot more guys to believe him and I feel like he’s got that.’’

Baas, 30, already has been in this position this season, having schooled his first-year teammates the week leading up to the 27-20 loss to the 49ers on Nov. 13. Before that game, guard Chris Snee noticed Baas “hugging guys and having that little cuddle-fest they have on the field.’’ Snee rolled his eyes but then said, “He spent six years there. I would imagine if I ever leave here and come back it would be the same thing.’’

Admittedly, Baas felt something different before that game, a 27-20 loss in San Francisco.

“I usually don’t go out early on the field, but I went out early before warm-ups. It was nice to see some of the guys and everything,’’ he said. “That was that, kind of got all the emotions out that time, and this is a business trip.’’

Baas has never expressed any hard feelings about the 49ers not making a big play for him in free agency, making it easy for him to accept the Giants’ five-year, $27.5 million contract offer.

It has not been the best of seasons for Baas, who missed five games with knee and neck injuries and will face a huge challenge on Sunday, facing a 49ers defensive front wanting to prevent him from advancing to his first Super Bowl.